Empire of Shadows

"We are friends!" Lance reiterated this point, "Friends should help each other!"

Vaughn also nodded and said, "Yes, friends should help each other."

He paused, then carefully sized up Lance again, and Lance generously displayed himself.

"You look a little different than before, there's been some changes, Lance, I don't know how to say it…"

A storm had already formed in Vaughn's mind, frantically churning his brain, "It's like… you're more noticeable than before, more confident, more…"

He made small gestures with his hands, showing a progression of emotions, "In short, better than before!"

Lance calmly accepted the comment, "Because we've both grown."

He leaned back on the sofa.

Now that Vaughn had received the money, he no longer needed to put pressure on him.

This is an important watershed in social interaction.

If the other party yields to your pressure and you continue to apply it, they will doubt whether their compliance is meaningful, and thus question their own actions.

Once doubt arises, at some point, this inconspicuous "Am I doing the right thing?" will turn into "I shouldn't be doing this!"

Many things happen this way, so Lance quickly released the pressure.

Leaning back on the sofa in a slightly lazy manner could instantly relax the atmosphere.

Accompanied by the topic of "friends," it was as if they were truly good friends of many years.

Vaughn also felt the subtle change in the atmosphere, and this change made him subconsciously realize that there were benefits to being friends with Lance.

He asked, as if casually, but also like he was inquiring, "What are you planning to do with the dockworkers' club?"

"Recently, many workers have been asking me about it.

I have to reveal some information to them appropriately, don't I?"

The workers' club was being renovated, making a lot of noise.

Everyone would feel curious and want to know what new things would be inside, and when it would open each week.

Not to mention them, Vaughn was also very curious.

Lance raised his index finger and stroked his eyebrow, "Inside there are things they like, cheap fried chicken, and affordable beer."

Vaughn whistled, "They say stricter enforcement orders are coming soon, and someone might make trouble for you."

Lance shrugged indifferently, "They only want the workers to work from morning till night, without giving them any time to relax, and even forbid them from drinking a little to relieve fatigue!"

"That's not fair, Vaughn.

We have the right to drink alcohol, even God hasn't taken it away, why should these capitalists and politicians take it away?"

Vaughn couldn't help but laugh after hearing this, "We all know that's how it is, but they are the federal government."

Actually, he didn't think there was anything wrong with selling beer.

"Anyway, be careful, but the workers will be happy to know about this."

The price of beer outside is marked up too much.

If they can buy affordable beer here, it's not just about saving them money.

At least seven thousand federal native working class, the power they contribute is enough for even the mayor to look at with respect.

In addition to these, there will also be some free song and dance activities, and some small projects similar to those in amusement parks, as well as some competitive activities with prizes.

For example, an arm-wrestling competition, with a one-month cycle, using an elimination system, and the person who ultimately wins first place will receive a hundred-dollar prize.

Or a vocational skills competition, or something else.

Vaughn listened with great interest, "They will definitely like this, but have you thought about it, doing this will put a lot of pressure on you financially."

"Just these bonuses alone, you might have to take out thousands of dollars each month, and then there are your operating expenses, maybe three or four thousand, four or five thousand dollars each month to maintain it, but you can't earn anything from it."

Lance spoke his mind without hesitation, because at this time, Vaughn would definitely be on his side.

By the time he wanted to switch sides later, it would already be too late.

"My purpose is not to make money here, but to prevent others from competing with me.

I can lose five thousand dollars a month, and if they want to make money from the workers, then they will never be my opponents in this lifetime!"

Vaughn found it hard to understand after hearing this, "Although I don't quite understand, but Lance, I can guarantee that if you can do what you say, you will become the most popular person on the docks, without a doubt!"

Not long after, Lance left, and Vaughn's secretary came in to clean up the coffee cups.

"What did you guys talk about?" she asked.

Her eyes carried some sparks.

Vaughn probably understood her thoughts and knew what she had seen, "Lance donated some money to us."

"Us?" the secretary put the coffee cups on the tray, repeating the word, instead of "the union."

"Two hundred dollars, I'm considering whether we should buy gifts with these two hundred dollars, or just distribute them directly."

"But there are too many union staff members, if we distribute it, each person will only get two dollars at most."

"But something worth two dollars is more presentable than giving them two dollars."

The secretary asked back, "Why does everyone have to have something?"

Vaughn raised an eyebrow, "I'll consider it."

On the way out of the dock, many people took the initiative to greet Lance, including some federal native workers.

Lance didn't recognize them, but they would still greet Lance.

Along the way, many people looked at this unseen but popular gentleman, and would always curiously inquire with those they knew, like Nasi.

When they found out that this was the recently popular "Mr. Lance," they kept this young man in mind.

Ervin and the others were waiting for him outside the dock in a car.

Today was the last day of Ennio's trial.

In theory, this kind of case should have been judged on the 25th, but at that time Lance and the others hadn't completely dealt with Heller, so Lance asked lawyer Robben to see if there was a way to delay it for two days.

He hoped to "say goodbye" to his three brothers, which could be considered a kind of… ritual?

For lawyer Robben, as long as the money was in place, there was nothing that couldn't be solved.

Even if there was, he would create opportunities to solve it.

He applied to the court for a temporary recess on the grounds of "supplementary evidence."

In fact, there was no need to delay for a few days when the important evidence and testimony were already closed-loop.

Even if he had new evidence, it wouldn't be possible to acquit Ennio, nor would it be possible to continue to reduce the sentence.

You beat the person into a coma, almost killed them, and you only got sentenced to six months, what else do you want?

Could it be that as the defendant's defense lawyer, you still want to find some evidence to make the defendant's sentence longer?

So in a situation where the outcome would not change, the judge could disagree.

But considering that it was lawyer Robben who made the request, and that they had had a phone call before, the judge allowed him to supplement the evidence and delayed it for a few more days.

And today was the last day of the trial, and the judge never thought that such a simple case could be delayed once more.

As Lance and the others entered, the judge, the prosecutor, including the court police, had to notice these people who were dressed completely uniformly.

Lance had even customized black lambskin gloves for them, which put a lot of pressure on people as long as they didn't smile!

As the proceedings began, standing up and sitting down, those sitting in the back rows were all Lance's people.

Ennio stood in the dock, using eye contact and slight head movements to greet everyone, with no fear on his face.

On the contrary, the guy in the wheelchair in the plaintiff's seat was already sweating!

If this case hadn't been a public prosecution, he would have withdrawn the case!

After the judge re-examined the evidence and testimony that had been examined before, and confirmed that the plaintiff was willing to forgive the defendant, he carefully reviewed the new evidence given by lawyer Robben —

He spent fifteen dollars to get signed comments from Ennio's three neighbors about "Ennio being a very kind and helpful young man."

The judge rolled his eyes after reading it, glared at lawyer Robben from afar, and then put these three pieces of evidence together with the others.

"…Based on the above evidence, Ennio is guilty of assault!"

"Stand up…"

He was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and one hundred and twenty hours of labor for excessive injury, but the court accepted his surrender, active compensation, and obtaining the victim's forgiveness, and there was no prior conviction, and he was a socially recognized good person and a series of other factors, allowing parole after three months.

But the prerequisite was that he did not cause new trouble during his sentence!

The judge's gaze lingered for a moment on the young people in the last few rows of the courtroom, seemingly to remember what these people looked like, and then gave lawyer Robben a look of implication before leaving the courtroom.

The atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

Lawyer Robben walked to the last row, not caring about the gazes of others, and shook hands with Lance, "I hope I have not failed your trust.

You can apply for parole after three months, and the cost of parole is only about a few hundred dollars."

"I believe this will definitely not be a problem for you!"

Lance also responded to him, "Very brilliant defense, although I don't quite understand this, but I know I was attracted by your defense.

You are at least a convincing person, lawyer Robben."

As he spoke, he took out the final payment from his pocket and handed it over.

Looking at the two-thousand-dollar check, lawyer Robben's mouth was about to split open with laughter, "Actually, cash is also fine."

Two thousand dollars, he could just find a reason to mix this money into legal money and spend it, of course, this was just a way of expressing himself, he didn't mind taking black money.

For people like Lance, this was more like a way of expressing closeness.

You guys make dirty money, and I'm willing to take dirty money. We're in this together!

"We'll cooperate again. Next time, I'll give you cash."

The two shook hands, and Lawyer Robben smiled and said goodbye to Lance, telling him that everything was arranged. He also reminded him that they could meet Ennio again in the parking lot behind the courthouse.

Of course, if they had a lot to say, it would be best to give the court police and driver in charge of the escort five dollars each.

A few minutes later, the three court police officers and the driver said they needed to smoke a cigarette before leaving, giving them time.

When Ennio first saw Lance, he was a little excited, but soon his face was full of shame, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Lance asked.

Ennio shook his head, "A lot of things... If I hadn't gotten into trouble and come in here, I would definitely have been there that day. Maybe we could have saved two lives, even one would have been good."

"Everyone encountered such a big trouble, but I can only be locked up here, unable to help at all, and you even have to help me find a lawyer."

"Lance, I feel like I have no face to see you guys anymore."

Lance smiled and punched him in the shoulder, "The future is long!"

"We have plenty of time and opportunities. You will have a chance to do something for us. And don't forget, you will soon have to play your role."

A high-ranking member of the Camilla gang surrendered himself, wanting to use imprisonment and time to escape Lance and the others' pursuit.

Honestly, this idea was actually very good, but he shouldn't have surrendered in Gold Harbor City. He could have run to the neighboring city, Creek Valley City, or somewhere else to surrender, and nothing would have happened.

But he surrendered here, giving Lance such an opportunity.

Ennio nodded, "I will take care of him and avenge the brothers!" His tone was very firm and resolute. Besides him, there were Ethan and another person.

Three people to deal with one person. This was not difficult.

Lance gave him a hug, "When you encounter provocations inside, endure it first. We don't do stupid things impulsively. Wait until you all come out!"

Ennio nodded, "I know what to do, conserve strength."

Then it was the others, hugging him and hoping that he could return safely with honor.

The court police and the driver didn't care how long they could talk, because Lance gave them ten dollars each.

It was more than 170 kilometers from here to the state prison. They could easily find a reason to make the time match up.

When everything was over, Ennio got into the escort vehicle. The court police, including the driver, enthusiastically said goodbye to Lance—"Goodbye, Mr. Lance!"

After the escort vehicle disappeared at the end of the road, the group breathed a heavy sigh of relief and returned to the car.

On the way back, Alvin talked about recruiting people at the pier today, "I've already spread the word today, and many people are very interested."

"But I don't think we can recruit just anyone."

Lance nodded, "Some are here to slack off. We don't want these people. Also, I need to make sure that every person we recruit has roots and a background."

"Let them tell us about their connections in the Empire, and then have people you know check it out. I don't want some little rats learning an Imperial accent and sneaking in."

Alvin listened with some curiosity, "Are there even people who want to get involved in such a small family like ours?"

Lance shook his head and said, "Small?"

"Not small at all, Alvin. We wiped out the Camilla gang. Although we used some means, it wasn't a head-on fight, but we did do it."

"We already have the qualifications to be put on the table, but we may also have the qualifications to sit at the table. We will have more invisible competitors, risks, and opportunities."

"We are no longer small characters in the pit. Maybe in the mouths of the big shots, we are no longer 'that who,' but people with names and surnames."

"So, don't underestimate yourself!"

Alvin listened happily, "Sounds great, I'll pay attention."

"Be as quick as possible!" Lance instructed again.

In the evening, when the office was preparing to get off work, William (Patricia's father) came. This was his first time visiting Lance's office, and he was immediately shocked by the crowded scene outside the office!

He had seen some labor dispatch companies, and they were very deserted, but here, it was almost all people!

So much so that there was no place to stand inside the office at all, and more people were standing outside the door.

What made him feel even more unusual was that these people were all wearing blue uniforms. When some of these people looked at him, he even felt pressure.

"Lance, there's a guy named William who says he's your friend..."

"Let him in." Lance didn't know who it was, but since he said he was his friend, then he must be a friend.

When William came in, Lance realized which William it was.

"There are too many people here!" William took off his hat and scarf and put them on the coat rack, but he didn't take off his coat.

"You disappeared for a while, and Pat is very worried about you."

Lance scratched his head, "I hope I didn't scare her." He paused, then slightly lowered his chin. He was asking William the purpose of coming here.

"I heard that you guys wiped out thousands of people from the Camilla gang..."

Lance was nodding during the first third, but when the word "thousands" appeared, he raised his hand, "Who did you hear say that I wiped out thousands of them?"

"Everyone is saying that!" William looked like it was a matter of course.

In fact, he didn't believe it at first, but he couldn't stand everyone saying it, and gradually he became half-believing.

Half-belief is often the basis of belief. When he saw so many blue uniforms outside the office, he believed it a little.

Lance rolled his eyes, "Adding them all up, there aren't even two hundred people. You guys are too exaggerated. No wonder I felt that everyone who saw me today was very enthusiastic."

"So you didn't think I was so great!"

"But were afraid that I would suddenly go crazy!"

William immediately realized that the number was inaccurate, but his attention was not here, "Whether it's hundreds or thousands, at least you guys solved the Camilla gang."

"Who did you pledge allegiance to?"

He suddenly asked a question that caught Lance off guard.

He was stunned for two seconds, then opened the cigarette case on his desk, took out a cigarette, and lit it, "Why do you say that?"

William also took a cigarette from the cigarette case, glanced at the cigarette label and curled his lips, then took out his lighter and lit his own. The two leaned back in their chairs, smoking and talking.

"From the fact that Charlie only mentioned the annihilation of the Camilla gang to the media, I knew that someone must have spoken for you."

"I'm not looking down on you, Lance. You might be able to get to know people at this level, but they wouldn't speak for you without you paying something."

"I thought about it, and there's only one possibility."

"Who did you pledge allegiance to?"